Tuesday, January 22, 2008

This tutorial gives an overview of how to make a bunch of reusable fabric grocery bags for less than 2 dollars each. (And most of that cost is in the webbing for the handles. They'd cost less than 50 cents if you use denim from old jeans.)

Note (March 09)- I've been using these same bags for just under 2 years. We use them almost every single time we go to the grocery store. And we have 3 kids at home with us, so we shop a lot. We also use them for almost ALL of our errands... clothes shopping, library, even the hardware store. I also wash the bags pretty often. The point it, they have been used hard. Very hard. And even though they're made of fairly thin fabric (which is kind of the point, as I need to be able to cram all of them into their bag, week after week), none of them have ever torn.

To make these, you need access to a sewing machine, but don't even need to sew all that straight. Remember, you just need to make them prettier than the ugly plastic things you're using now. How hard can that be?

-For my bags, I repurposed an old sheet that was in fairly good condition (not threadbare at all).-I buy the sheets at the thrift store for between $2 and $4 each. (The price has gone up since I originally posted. They're between $3 and $6 now. Still a good deal, though.)-I wash them in hot water before cutting.-I've been able to get between 6 and 10 bags per sheet.-Flat sheets are easiest, but fitted ones will work too. You'll just need to cut off the elastic (click here to see how to reuse it).-Cut as many 18" x 42" rectangles as you can from the sheet. (This results in a fairly big bag that's about 17 inches square. You can easily make it bigger or smaller, depending on your needs- and the size of your sheet. Regular plastic grocery bags are only about 11 by 13 inches. I'm thinking of making some more that are smaller and labeling the big ones with 'Light Items Only' because a big bag full of cans is way too heavy, but can be perfect for that jumbo sized toilet paper.)-Basically, you're just sewing a very crude bag, with no lining. I kept it simple so I could make bunches of them. There's only one little trick that I figured out, shown in the next few pictures.-Fold in half, wrong side together and pin like shown, about 3 inches from bottom.

Now, pull top down...

til it's even with the pins (creating a fold from pin to pin)...

grasp all four layers of fabric at pins...

and lift up. Then lay it back down flat.

Note- I just replied to a reader who had some confusion with this step. Here is the clarification I gave her "First of all, when you pull the top down, you’ll be pulling both corners of the front straight down till there is a fold right even with the pins. At this point, yes, you will have 3 layers, but when you pinch at the pins and lift up, the back of the bag will fall over your fingers and make four layers (you’ll have to reposition your fingers at this point). I actually fold the back layer down as I’m pinching, so that, in essence, I am grabbing four layers all at once."

-The wrong sides will now be facing out.

(This is much less complicated than it sounds. Thus all the pictures.)-Sew up the sides. The third option on this tutorial shows how to run both a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch in order to finish the edges nicely. Unfortunately, because of the folds in the seam, a French seam won't work here. The zig zag does the trick, though.-If you want to check that you did this right, flip it right side out. It should look like this.

-Turn the bag back inside out and iron each seam to one side.-Fold down top edge of bag about 1/4 inch and iron. (Ya, in these pictures the top of the bag is actually at the bottom of the picture.)

-Now fold the top down again about 2 inches. Iron.

-I pin in squares of scrap fabric to reinforce where the handles go (about 5 inches from the edge). You can use denim or canvas. Just make sure they're right up against the top fold so they get sewn in with the next seam.

-Now, sew two seams all the way around the top of the bag, one 1/4 inch seam parallel to the very top fold and one 1/4 inch up from the bottom fold.-After that, you can turn it right side out and attach the handles.-You can use webbing (like I did here) or sew your own handles out of sturdy fabric. I fold the cut edge underneath to keep it from fraying. This step is probably the most difficult; keep with it, it just takes practice.

-Just make sure to keep the rest of the handle out from under the presser foot or you'll end up with this... I can't even tell you how often this happens to me.

-You can attach the handles to the inside or outside of the bag, depending on the look you prefer.

That's it. Please let me know if you have any questions. And I'd love to see any you make. There's even a Flickr group to post pictures on.

One Note- if any men will ever be using these for shopping, you may want to consider doing these from a more masculine print. Jeff originally refused to bring the pretty blue and yellow flowered ones to the store, but has since gotten over it.

Oh yah, here's one last picture... of my grocery bag, bag. It's got a front pocket for the Produce Bags and is closed using my Buffalo Scrunchy (cut off the fitted sheets).

This is basically sewn up with a channel like the produce bags, but bigger and with a pocket.

Great tutorial. I have been thinking about doing the same with our unused sheets but never materialized the process. Now I just have to follow your instructions! Not only is your blog helping you finish your projects, but it's inspiring others. Thanks!

Wendy, thanks for sending me the link - these are GREAT! I'll make one soon, and post about it - with a link to your instructions, if you don't mind. I'm going out of town for a couple weeks, so I won't do it until I get back, but I will do it. Thank you!!

Ginger, they've done great so far (and I've been using them consistently since this summer). Although, I only let them load them to a level that's comfortable to carry (ie- not completely full of cans).

If you're worried, you can make them smaller, which will keep the weight down (and also increase the number of bags if you get a discount). :)

I love your pattern! I just made my first bag out of yard sale fabric. It is 100% cotton and when I washed it, it of course frayed a good bit on the edges. SO - I added to your tutorial by taking extra-wide bias tape and sewing that over the side edges (turning the tape under at either end). Not only will this stop the fraying, but it should strenthen the bag a bit, too. I sewed it using a bit wider seam allowance to get closer to the edge of the tape. Just thought that I would share. =)

Genie, thank you so much for adding that tip about the bias tape! It's a great idea. I'll have to try it.

Incidentally, on my more detailed version (for sewing newbies), I did add a line (which I've copied to this one now) about doing double quarter inch seams to prevent fraying. It takes a bit longer, but since you only need to do it on two sides, it isn't too bad.

AK in PA, before the bags are filled, they're about 18" square. Because of the way I've done the bottom, the depth really depends on what you put in there. If you fill it with a whole bunch of cereal boxes (or a giant thing of toilet paper) it'll be a couple inches shorter because a lot of the height is used on the bottom. If you have something skinnier, the bottom stretches down and you get the full height.

Though you could certainly adjust the sizes as you'd like. I've been thinking I need to do a few that are much smaller, for heavy stuff because the baggers tend to fill these completely full with cans and I'm not sure the bags like that very much (nor do I for that matter- they're heavy!).

Just a suggestion, but if you make the straps long enough to wrap all the way around the bottom of the bag, you are adding another level of support. You aren't relying on a square inch of fabric at each anchor point to support the weight of the groceries, it is more evenly distributed across the entire bag.

Great advice on how to go green without a huge investment. This represents a trend that more of us should be moving towards, in which we provide for ourselves a little bit more, and stop dropping money for everything that we need.

I must be stupid. I really can't figure out how to get the bottom like that. If I pull up all four edges and then sew the sides then it comes out with them all sewn flat and a funky shallow pocket along one bottom side. What am I doing wrong?

WildernesFamily, I think what you've described is actually how the bags look when they're folded a certain way. Just stick your hand down into the 'pocket' and open up your fingers to move it down to the bottom and open it up.

Let me know if that isn't the case. I've been meaning to actually do a video for these and the produce bags, but haven't gotten around to it.

Oh good grief. I really am dense. Yes Wendy, that's precisely it.. I just had to open it out properly. Ha. Well now I can try again on the next one. On this bag I just made I unpicked everything and then just did a box corner. Thank you for replying to me and helping this dummy in her time of need. Hehe.

wow...what a great idea. i was looking at different ideas for tote bags; mainly for putting Christmas gifts in..a gift in a gift:D yours is one of the best so far, and one of the ones i'll be making.kudzu

This is a great tutorial. I'm pretty good at carrying reusable bags with me whenever I go shopping (they are quite ugly, though); what I'm trying to find now is how to make or where to buy small net bags to replace the plastic bags you put your fruits and veggies into.

I have made several of these bags. BUT, why after sewing my sides together is one side of my opening a couple inches longer than the other side. Maybe I'am trying to make this more difficult than it really is? I'am hoping this gets to you, as my computer, and sewing skills are quite comparable. Thanks.

Nina, I'm not exactly sure what you mean. Both of my sides are the same length when I do this. The BACK of the bag, though, is sometimes a very small amount longer (like less than a quarter of an inch) than the front. But once you fold it down to hem the top it gets hidden so it shouldn't matter.

great bags, I use backed curtain fabric for my bags, the fabric not only keeps the heat out of your house it also keeps things cool, I put the gusset in last because I always use french seams in my shoppers, you need to turn the bag inside out to do this. the ugliest fabric can make the best looking bags, I buy bolt end fabric as it is cheaper the stores usually sell it at cost so they are not stuck with it, the handles of my bags are made out of the same fabric, I get 2 bags per meter of fabric, they make great presents and sell well at markets and fairs, Even my motherinlaw loves my bags and she hates getting handmade stuff from anyone go figure?

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I just inherited some truely impressive flowered curtains in a thick cotton from my Grandmother. The print is sooooo late 60's it needs new life and now its a set of fabulous grocery bags! Yay!

Thank you soo much for your tutorial. I used pillow cases. I wanted a fast and easy bag. and by using a pillow case i was able to skip several steps. I love the bottom of the bag idea. I have trying to find faster ways to make the bags and that step was what i needed. On my practice bag i completed it in under 20 minutes. Thanks again

I love those fabric bags. The problem with the ones you buy is that they do take a lot of time because you can not fold them properly. So they sit there like nuisence rest of the time. The final bag is even better with the pockets. I love a lot of pockets in my bags and other pocket are handy.

Oh dear... when you say sew up the sides do you mean all the way to the pins? Just the 2 sides are sewn after i do the "grab all 4 corners part"? It does'nt look right when i unfold it. I hope im not too late in asking this.

Awesome, I just made first one! I had been looking for a pattern for shopping bags, found this one easy as pie to make and make bigger if you choose! Will be making many more to share with friends to use up all my material! Can hardly wait!

The only thing I did different was add a small loop between the handles on one side, to hang the bag from the rack at the grocery store--makes it easier to load. If you were using the old blue jeans for handles thing, a belt loop would be perfect.

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Wendy you are doing a very noble job by sharing tutorials of the fabric shopping bags, indirectly promoting them. As these bags are eco-friendly and great alternative of plastic bags, which are creating pollution on earth.

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I'm a mom with 4 kids, only one of which I've grown from scratch. And as for my 3 stepkids, I'm incredibly lucky to have such wonderful people in my life. Also I share my life with a wonderful and supportive guy who I think is dreamy. I've almost always got way too many projects going. But, if you want to know more than that, click here to see 8,452 completely random things about me... give or take.

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